Yep, the other impressive thing about the Elite in store was that it was very, very full. Makes me think if you root around the shelves this time of year there may be some gems before GN start changing models and discontinuing others.

Are manufacturers under some sort of obligation to produce bats within the new size restrictions? If not, it does make you wonder why they are dropping the big bats and slimming to 50+ to the Signature and so on...

They cant be if kook have the oversize khawaja kahuna . But gn changed the velocity /atomic etc at least a month ago...... but they knew already about the icc regs coming into effect in oct . The only thing i can put it down to is change of heart or anticipation that all other manufacturers would conform to regs . But gn have made a big mistake in my books , as our lacklustre response to their range implies .

I like a shorter blade so that Velocity Players could be right up my street. Just noticed they are in Kingsgrove too so that is much more feasible to take a look. Current bat is 2.15 so I could entertain the idea of a 2.11. No idea what weights they have them in in Sydney

I can only think GN are concerned that the buying public might be put off by the slightly over sized bats for worrying how long they may be able to use them for with a bit of uncertainty around the new rules. To be fair GN Aus are in a fairly unique position of having so many big bats in their range so it is always a gamble one way or another for them

I really like what I've seen of the Elite. It does look to be of a XP70 type profile only in a better grade.

Looking at the website the Atomic isn't in their handmade range but I reckon the few with 45mm edges instead of the 40mm ones just might be some of the Melbourne factory pre production ones. Especially seeing as they seem to pick up better.

Logged

Tell it to my bread in the morning. You just became my backup toaster.

The website looks a bit all over the place. For example, all Velocity bats have the same profile on the GN Aus website which is the same as the Players Choice model pic I posted, whereas the Velocitys in store are thin edge, highish middle, traditional shape. Makes me wonder if the Players Choice shape as per my pic exists at all or if it does, will it be yet another to disappear with time?! Bit of a shambles and there were different shaped bats on the shelf labelled as the same thing for the same price. There were 45mm, 40mm and 35mm edged Atomics too (guessing but certainly a variety of sizes). The takeaway seem to be root around the shelves and if something looks good it probably won't be around long!

I didn't measure to be honest, may have just squeezed into legal size. Measuring edges and spines seems to be more an overseas thing, I can't think of a time a customer in store has asked for measurements. Our stores only received a small amount, not sure about other companies, most of ours are on back order.

I think measuring is more of an online geek thing. I love a good run down of every measurement of a bat but not in a shop and that isn't the reason to buy a bat. More a curiosity thing to know how big your wood is in the privacy of your own home and then shout about it on the interwebz if it is bigger than you expected

Right then folks, I hope the retailer don't mind but some more pictures...

XXX 11 has a 45mm edge and is 2.9. Players choice probably isn't too far off for peak edge size, maybe smaller spine and the shape of the profile seems spot on. Only downside is this one is 2.14.

I already have a 2.15 monster in the form of Procricket's silly 50mm egde short blade Chase so that rules out the Players choice I think for being too similar and I'm sure the pickup wouldn't be half as good.

That just leaves the XXX 11 which for some reason doesn't grab me as much as I thought it would, even at 240gbp- it would be great to see this supposed mini-Warner in person but that won't be possible and I don't fancy the gamble. Ah well, time to invest that money in coaching and time on the bowling machine I think!